Loose leaf binder



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. G. DUPREE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. 5, 1950 sept 20, 1932.

INVENTOR EDMOND G. DUPREE x Y ril Y Sept. 20, 1932. E. G. DUPREE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Deo. 5, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDMOND G. DUPREE /Lz's a-Zorn e 5 Sept. 20, '1932. E. G. DUPREE LOOSE LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 5, 1930 INVENTOR EDMoND cz.V DUPREE sept. 20,1932.

E. G. DU FREE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Deo. 5. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 EDMOND G. DUPREE d /u's @220401 @lys Sept. 20, 1932; I E. G. DUPREE I LoosE LEAF BINDER 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Dec. 5. 1930 VITE"- Patented Sept. 20, 1932 2. l', uNlTEDsT.erEfS2 DMOUND G.

COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.'Y., AY CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Loosn vmaar BINDER ApplicationlledDecember 5;.1930. SerialNo. 500,350.

This inventionfrelates toV loose leaf'post bindersfhaving flexibler posts which are normally held rigid by spring pressure. Itis in the nature of an improvement upon theinvention of Frederick C. Bingham upon which applicationlor patent was filed in the United States Patent Office onDe'cember 3rd, 1930,

as Serial Number 499,782. V 1 -g The objects of the invention are to provide an improved iiexible Y post and improved means of adjusting same-in thel clamping bars, as will appear fromfthe specification andclaims. .'Inthedrawings, .f

Figure 1 is a cross-section through one end of the `clamping bars of: a loose leaf* binder,

showing one form of 'the n ovel post flexed i and showing one method of retaining it in the bindingbars;`

Figure 2 lisa section similar to .Figure1, through the otherend ofthe vclamping bars,

showing a post inrigidiposition;

Figures 3 to .58 inclusive illustrate a device provided 4in one of the clamping bars for lockingthe post against displacement after it has been flexed at any desired point.

Figure V3 shows the locking device in top elevation, partly cut away; Y

. Fio'ure showsa' side elevation of the locking device unlatch'ed; 1

Figure 5 is a vertical section through' the latch on the line 5- 5 of Figure'; Figures 6, 7 and 8.are perspective views showing-,parts of the' lockingdevi'ce;

post of'Figu-res'l, 1 6 and 17.

evice, the dotted.y position showingthe Figure -9 shows the post ofFigures 1 and 2f i Figure 13 is a top elevation ofa detached sleeve. c Figure 14isa but showing the-postfflex'ed; Y

Figure'15 Vis an elevational view (withfporitions cut away)v yoftheback of a binder (eml PATENT nUPRnnoFnIcHi/ronn 'H'ILLNWromnnssronon To vBoonuiu a rnasn section similar to Figure 11,

bodying a modied form of post, in which the ends of thevpost are .modified from the con-A 'structions of Figures 1to 14 inclusive;

' Figure 16 is a view similar'to Figure' 157 but showing only one end of the clamping bars and the post flexed; l

-Figure 17' shows the' post of Figure 16 Y rigid, and shows the end cap removed and the top binding bar in the ac'tof'being 'removed; y .Y

Figure 18 is a vertical section through the My improved postsv 2O aresupported in the lower clamping bar 21V andv theiry upper clamping bar V2 2, which they enterthrough an opening V23,and within which bar their Vfree ends maybe buried.l

Vends are slidinglyY received in the upper bers or detached'sleeves 25 which are threaded upon the flexible.` member andV which form the outside of thepost throughout most of f its length. v Asillustrateith'e detached sleeves are in-y terlitting members, circular in crossfsection, each of which has a'neck or neck portion Y26 and a vflange 27. See especiallyFiguresll to 14; inclusive. 1 The internal diameter 01:' the flange 27 is about the same as or alittle larger than the external diameter of the 'neck portion-in order that successive sleeves may be nested with the neck of one Vwithin' the flanged portion of the next, as clearly shownv in Figure 11. Theinternal b ore'vof the neck portion-26m tapered outwardly toward .theVv Y Y external edge of the neck, 'forming a bellshaped bore', as shown at 28. This construction aids in flexing the post vby :forming a curvedV seat for rthe central flexible member at the point where'the post-v is bent..v See Figure 111. The sleeves mayv -be threaded on the central element'either with Y theneck turned downward as shown injFigassociated with the flexible member and the sleeves. This spring exerts tension onthe f independent j sleeve members causing them normally to interlit or remain nested and The post may be. provided with one ori more end sections'to aid in associating the flexible member and the spring withl the;

sleeves. Thepost shown in Figure 1 is provided'with a top end section 35, withinrthe bore Vof which the spring is housed. The lower end of top end section is nformed with a neck like that Aof a sleeve 25, so that it may nest' within the Vflange-(of the upperfmo'st sleeve. Upon the upper end of 'section 3.5 maybe screwed a suitable'lend capl 36.

fallowthe flexing, nwhereupon thepost canV be'jflexed at right-angles so that the upper Y Within the bore of section' 35 the lowerend.`

of spring 30 bears againstthe shoulder 37, while the upper `end of spring ,30" bears against a ring 38 which is provided near the upper end of the flexible member. Ring 38 has a diameter enabling it te ftsldingly withinthe boresof section 35 andendcap 36.v The end cap '36 has the same external diameter/as the rest ofthe post, .whichallows the top clainpng bar tobe removedwhen the post is upright,'sin1ply by raising'the clamping bar 'until the endV cap passes throughv the opening 23.

4.The post shown Y videdA with a Iow'erend section 34,' which has the saine external diameter asthe sleeves and which forms part oftheoutside of the post immediately above the .lower clainpnc bar Thedupper end of section 34 has a ange like the flanges 27 ofthe detached'slee'v'es25 so tliatthe'neck 26 of 'one of the sleeves may The lower end of the interior of lower end section 34 may be screw-threaded and cooperate witha nut 33, `secured within theAclarnpingbarQl, to receive'a screw 32 which is provided at the lower end o f the flexible member 24; I

' The post may besecured tothe lower clamping bar rigidly, as shown in F igures'l and 15, or verticallyyieldingly, as shownin FigureV 9, for'v example. l in order to 'flex the post at anyV desired point,.the` operator needonly bring the sleeve 25.l which is immediately below the point, intothehopening 23 in the lower wallofjth'e` upper yclamping bar, and then Ybend ther post in the desired direction. This' will vexert suiiicient forceagainst the tension spring to part of the post will lie horizontally..l Upon beingliexed the parts of the post will assume the position'shown clearlyl in Figurey V14. "ln

- ter of the bar and latched near the point where retain thepost in its flexed position. Y The form of cover 3l shown in described more yfully below.

1 If desired, a flat spring 39 'may be pro-v vided to project below the lower wall of thel top clamping Abar 22,- to rest upon the-'loose t leaves40 whenthe binder isU closed, and thus thus hold the post rigid. v v

aid in keeping the leaves compressed.V The bent portion 49 of the spring 39 projects downwardly through an opening 50 in thelow'erwallwof the ,upper clamping bar, while'the free tip 51 ofthe s Jring rests withnthe clamping bar. See gures 2, 4 and Y7. `When the post-is flexed and its lupper-end is lying in the clamping bar, as shown in Figs. 1 andv 16, for example, the post presses upon the,l free endof the spring 39 and causes the bent'portion 49 of the' spring to exert pressure upon the leaves as shown: The enlarged end cap 67 in Figure 16 aids in maintaining this pressure.

'f As' illustrated inFigures ljto 8V inclusive,

Figs. 1-8 will be K cover 31' is pivoted in an inverted UA-bar 42 T95 (Fig. 8), whose webl is notched at 43 to` coincide with the 'edge ofthe lowerv wall ofgthe clampingbar'where it is perforated vat 2.3.

The secured end of plate spring 39 may be l Y -Y L shaped to liebetweenthe web ofthe `U-bar v1n Figure 1is also proa 42 and the lower wall ,of the clampink bar, in which casepthis spring is perforate `at 44 to coincide withV the opening 23 andthe notch 43. The cover and spring arethen secured to the clamping'ibar any suitable .means surface 48 kto which latch 46l is fastened, thus releasing thelratch against the yspring pres* 5.111.136,14

' Coversof Y may be provided.` A modified forni of cover is shown in Figure 10, pivoted near the centhe post enters the binding bar.

In Figure Y9- a inodilication is shown in whichthe whole post is yieldingly secured in the lower clamping bar, a coiled spring 52 being provided toaidin clamping upon the sheets by takingupA the` slack between the different form or arrangement clamping bars when the slack is vless than the height of any one sleeve. In this form, a' bushing 53`within which the post rides, is provided for the .openingY in the upper wall of the lower Clamping bar. 'A plate 54 is pre.

vided (see also FigurelO) of suitable length to lie loosely over the lower wallof the lower clamping bar.:` A` section `55 of eaeh'vpost is secured to theplate 54 by means of a screw 56, the head ofwhich ilies -in an `opening in the lower wall 'of .thelowe'rh clamping bar.

. v The lower' end o'f `the spring 52 presses -against the plate 54,l while the upper end of the spring presses against: the top wall of the clamping bar. The flexible member 24 is clamped by a screw into a lower end section 57 Vwhich forms part" of the outside of the.

post, and is preferably of the same external Vdiameter as the sleeves.V If it is desiredto have an extensible, rigid portion in the post,

any number of rigid extension units of known construction may be inserted inthepost between the section 55 ,andfthelend section 57 which latter acts as' afconnecting section between the rigid and vflexible portions of the post. Such a rigid extension unit is shown at 58 (Fig. 9).` As illustrated inrFigure 9, the

1 top of the end section 57 -is formed' withaneck like that on the sleeves 25 in order to-nest lin aflange ofthe sleeve aboveit. It is obvious that if the sleeves vwere threaded. upon flexible t element in ieverseposition, as in Figufresvl andlO, thetopof theglower end section 57 would be'provided with a flange instead of a v neck. Similarly, top end section 59in vigure 9v has at itslowerenda flange like that of the sleeves, instead of the neck` showni top end section 35 in Figurelj. Y Figure l0 shows a modification-in which a spring associated .with vthe lower end of the post acts to exert `the tension uponthe sleeves requiredto hold the post/normally rigid.

In this form, reversing the` arrangement shown in the other figures, the flexible mem,- ber is ixedly secured to outerelements of the postat the free AIVend of the' post, while/the spring which exerts tension on the sleeves Y at the end of .the post which'Y is Vfixed" to 'a` v The upper end' of flexible clamping bar. member 24' isY provided with an extension Amember 72,whiehl is screwed intoatop end section 69 and an end` cap l70'.

A blade spring 60 is placedV inthe lower clamping bar above amovable plate 5 4. The lower end of the liexible member-ispassed through the spring 60 and plate 54,.and retained by means of ahead 61 formed onthe end 'of theilexible mem-berbelow. theplate.

lIn the dra-wings the head 6l is illustrated as formed on an extension'piece 7l, but ob viously thehead could berformed on the flexible member inothenways.` It is also obvious that a coiled springlsuch as that shown at 52 in Fig. 9, could be usedins'tead of the blade spring 60.Y

The pressure of the springagainst theup- `per wall ofth-e lower clamping-bar pulls the flexible element downward and keepsj the sleeve elements nested under pressure until-the 041 the operator pulls ony thefupper end of the. Post.

,The extension member'7lf yof the `:flexibleiele-v mentv rides within a bushing 62 securedin the upper` wall ofthe lower. clamping bar 70 v 'side of theV post.- The upper end of bushing 62 may be formed ltocoop@ lbte-withthe lowest` detached sleeve. Y.. @The bushing may be made in more than onepart, ifrdesired: o yIn the modification shown'inFi'gureslto lS'inclusive, a'bushin'g isfprovided; in the lower. lclamping bar, `intofwh-ieh the whole post is screwed bymea-ns of threads provided on lower end section 64. -A modified flexible element is shown in Fig. 18,- in'the formV of a link Chain 29. The flexible element saliese.-

cured in the lower end section 64 by anysuit-` able means suchas'afpinf'.lk The upper end l of the section 64V forms lpart of the outside of the post and yisa-.shapedv to interfit with,l one end of a sleeve. VThe upper Aend seotion is shaped at its lower' end to interfit with the other endjfof la sleeve.4 Inathis forrmend cap 67, which V"screws on to the upper end element of the post, is made ofmlarger diameter than .r -th-erest ofV theY post andlv larger vinidiameter than the openingj23 in the bottom wall iof the upper clamping bar; This enlarged. ,c.appre' vents accidental removal ofthe upperl clamp@ ing bar. jln order to remove the clamping bar, the-capmust rst.beremovedas shown in rF igure 17'.j This construction isespeoially suitable.whensheets-notched to the ledge are The-j'operation of thePOIS-i'.` has?been-.de`

Vvscribed above. The spring'm-eans associated with an end of the post exerts pressureuponv said post normally 1 rigid by n pressing upon said interfittingmembers. v

"2. IA postjfor loose leaf bindercomp,risingdi` a flexible member anda serieso'f independent inter-fitting sleeves threaded thereon,` andper-v mitting thev post fto'liex in alll directionsbef tween adjacent sleeves. f 39A post for loose leafbinder comprising sleeves;r

`a-flexible member-anda seriesof independent r interlitting sleeves ythreaded thereon and per# `mitting the post to flex in all directions',in combination with spring means to' hold said lpost normallyrigid,v by pressingl uponsaid l A post.forlooseleafbinder comprising a'; lXb1 meinbeligand a plurality ofiinter.- l

fitting sleeves threaded thereon, in combinaf, f.

no y ting members threaded thereonfand permit-` ting the post toV 'flex between them, in combi-r -nation with springmeans adapted to hold tion Vvirithf spring meansadapted to hold said .post normally rigid, by pressing .upon said sleeves veach -sleeve having 'a neck atone* end and a flange atthe other endVV to receive the.A

neokof the succeeding sleeve; A flexible post Yfor:- a loose leaf binder comprising aliexiblemember anda plurality c of interttingmembers threaded thereon, in .l combination *withV spring means vadapted to .hold `said postnormally'rigid, by pressing upon said interfitting membersr each interitting member having afneck at oneend and a flange -at the other end,', the innergfwalls. ofthe neck end Vtapering toward the outer edge, tofacili'tate bending of'the flexible member. f -'6.' A flexible comprising aflexible element', a plurality of interfitting members vthreaded thereon forming part of the outside-of the post, and` upper and lower end elements forming parts-of the voutside of the post, oneofsaid end elements als being associated lwith an-end ofthe flexible.

element, in combination with spring means to hold saidfpost normally rigid by pressing uponV said'interlitting members.

zendA of the post, iny combination with 'spring' e L means connected with said flexible member 77A post for a loose leaf binder compris,-

ing.v aflexible element, a plurality of inter-V fitti-ng membersthreaded-thereon and't forming' parts of the outside of thepost, one end of'ithefflexible-member vbeing secured to a partof the outside of the post adjacent one adjacent the otherend-of the post landexertingtensiony upon the interfitting members to` V9. A pos'tlforloose leaf binderrcomprising a flexible element, a plurality of'inter; fitting 4members, threaded thereon andupper vand lowerfend elements, in combination *with spring means 'adapted tohold said A.post normally rigid by pressing upon said interfitting members, said interfitting .members and end elements formingparts of. the outside ofV `v v the post and an end of each'end element bei ingiformedto interfit with said interlitting members.

1o.. A flexible post .for 1005's leaf( binder comprising a flexible member and a plurality of independent interfitted elements threadedthereon, in combination with spring means adapted normally to rhold the` independent elements interfitted, byVV pressing fupon said post '-for- -a' loose. leaf*binder` elements but permitting 'said post to Vvbend between: 'i 'saidA independent". elements .when

pressurefis exerted against said spring. 5

11. z'In aloose' leaf .postbinder having a clamping bar,'ia:post comprising a vflexible member anda plurality of `interiitting members threaded thereon, in combination lwith mally rigid, by kpressing vupon said interfittingmembers said post being vertically yield- Vingl-y secured inthe elampingbar.`

12. In .a looseleaflpost binderhavinga clamping bar, a plate lying in the clamping baran"d a flexible post secured in said clamp.- ing bar, said post comprising. aflexible memspring means adapted to hold said post nor# v ber'associatedwith said plateand a plurality Lof interfitting members .threaded .upon the flexible. member, in combination with 'spring meansfassociatedwith said plate and f said flexible member within the clamping-bar and exerting pressure onv lsaid* -interfitting mem'- bers. f. Y. .y

13.- Inral loose leafpost ybinder'havingja Clamping bar, a flexible post comprising a -flexible member anda plurality of interfitting members threaded thereon, in combina'- A tion with means securingsaid flexible member vertically yieldingly-in'the clamping bar. 'lfpI'n 'aloose/ leaf post binderhaving a clampingqbar, a post secured therein'- comprisingia" flexible -member and .a plurality of interfitting members threaded thereon, in

combination with .spring means associated` with'the flexiblememberfadjacent the se# cured end of'said post and adapted vtohold said post normally rigid by exerting pres@ sure onthe interfitting members.

15. In a loose'leafpost binder havinga clamping bar,` a post comprising a flexible member and ia plurality of interfitting mem-y bers threaded thereon, in combination with 'spring means within said clamping bar asso# ciated with -an lend of saidfflexible'inember adaptedito hold said post normally rigid.' i 16. In aloose leaf post'binder-having upper andflower'clamping bars, a flexible'post comprising a flexible member and a'plurality v Aof interfitting members threaded thereon, in

Y,combination with springrmeans adaptedlto hold said post normally` rigid by pressing upon `said interfitting members, but permit- Vting said post to bend betweensaidinterfitting members wheny pressure is exerted against said sprng,1saidrpost being secured in said lower barV and passingthrough said upper clamping ban and thelatter being adapted to receive -the uppery portion of the post whenthe post is flexed. 17. Ina loose leafbinder'having a hollow upper clamping bar perforated toadmit a post, cover meansassociated with said clamp-v ing-bar, in combination with a post comprising a flexible member, a plurality'of 'inter-g fitting members threaded' fthereonf formingwall to receive a post andto admit a-spring,

and protruding through one o a post comprising av flexible member and a plurality of interlitting membersV threaded thereon, in combination with a spring to press upon sheets secured withinsaid clamping bar tions in the lower wall thereof.

, 19. In a loose leaf binder having a hollow upper clamping bar perforated in itslower wall to receive a postand to admit a spring,

a flexible post in combination with a flat spring to press upon sheets having one end secured within said clamping bar, thevother end resting freely within said clamping bar,

and the intermediate bent portion projecting below said clamping bar through said latter perforation therein.

20. Ina loose leaf binder having, a hollow upper clamping bar perforated in its lower wall to receive a post and to admitaspring, a flexible post in combination with a flat spring to press upon sheets having one end secured within said clamping bar, thev other end resting freely within said clamping bar, and the intermediate bent portion 'projecting Y below said clamping bar through a perforation therein, a portion of said post being adapted to lie buried in said clamping bar, and cover means on said clamping bar'adapted to press the free end of said post against said spring.

21. In aV looseleaf binder having a hollow upper clamping bar perforated in its lower wall to receive a post and to admit a spring,

a flexible post comprising afleXible memberV and a plurality of sleeves threaded thereon, in combination with a flat spring 4to press upon sheets having one end secured within Vsaid clamping bar adjacent the entrance Yof Y a loose leaf binder having a hollow i upper clamping bar perforatedin its lower f said perforaclamping bar through a perforation therein, land cover means on said clamping bar adapted to press said enlarged end cap upon the free end of said spring.

In testimony l name to this specification'.l

VEDMOND G. DUPRE? whereof I have signed my fsf lmyA

i no

the post into said bar, the other end resting 'Y freely within said clamping bar, and the inl termediate bent portion projecting below said clamping bar through said latter perforation Y therein;

22. In a loose leaf binder having an upperl clamping bar perforated to receive a post and to admit a spring,aflexiblelpost having an enlarged end cap ncombination with aV iiat springv having one end securedl within said clamping bar, the other end resting free# ly within said clamping bar, and the intermediate bent portion Iprojecting belowsaid fizsV a 

